Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Barrett

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Trader

      Variations

      Barnett, Garrett, Jarrett
      The name Barrett has its origins in English and is derived from the Old English word beorht meaning bright or shining and the suffix -er, denoting an agent or one who does or is connected with something. Therefore, the name Barrett can be understood to mean bright trader or shining merchant.

      Throughout history, the name Barrett has been associated with individuals engaged in commerce and trade. In medieval England, merchants played a crucial role in the country's economy, and many adopted names that reflected their occupation. The name Barrett, with its connotation of a bright trader, aptly identified those individuals involved in various aspects of the trading profession, such as market traders, merchants, and even bankers. The name also held a certain social prestige, suggesting financial prosperity and success in business endeavors.

      In contemporary usage, the name Barrett continues to carry its historical significance. It is commonly found as both a first name and a name, with individuals embracing their family heritage or the name's meaning as they choose names for their children. Moreover, the name Barrett is not confined to the English-speaking world; it has spread far and wide due to globalization. The name's popularity persists across different cultures, reflecting the continuing admiration for the traits associated with a skilled trader, including astuteness, resourcefulness, and prosperity.

      Based on our records...

      Barrett

      Barrett

      This is the most common surname associated with Barrett.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Barrett.
      Barrett

      Barrett

      This is the most common name for a child of a Barrett.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1913 is when there were the most people born with the first name Barrett.

      Explore the origins of another name.